How Many Chains Do You Need to Start a Chain with a Multiple?
Many crocheters write us and ask us to figure out the starting chain counts where a multiple in a pattern exists. To help crocheters, I've developed a worksheet with the answers but also an exercise to test your skills to figure it out yourself.
Helpful Tips
The Worksheet Below
The worksheet is downloadable to print off for your own records and/or to use to complete the additional exercise to test your skills.
Considerations for the Multiple:
- Does the multiple go directly across or is the first and last stitch not included in that multiple?
- When a Multiple does NOT have stand alone edges. The Crochet Spinning Wheels Blanket is an example.
- When a Multiple does HAVE stand alone edges. The Baby Waffle Blanket is an example.
The worksheet tells you how many additional chains to main for both considerations. However, I think it's best to learn how to read a crochet diagram in the case that the pattern is more complex than just a start row. This is really handy to know for wave type afghans.
The worksheet shows you an example diagram of double crochet stitches. Can you figure it out without checking the upside down answers at the bottom of the page?
How Many Chains to Add for Multiples
Patty Comey says
I am starting an afghan combining two different patterns for the panels, the star stitch and the slanted boxes. The star stitch is a multiple of 2 +1 and the slanted boxes is a multiple of 4. How do I make the transition from one stitch to another as I work my way across the afghan? I am starting and ending with the star stitch. I am working the afghan from side to side not top to bottom and I don't want to sew the panels together. Thank you!
Mikey says
Morning Patty. I'm really not sure. I haven't heard of the Slanted Boxes before. I would have to experiment and try in order to figure out an answer. I think based on the multiples you mentioned, you may need to make an extra stand-alone stitch when doing the slanted boxes to make up for the missing stitch. Through in sc or something to hold its spot.
Patty Comey says
Thanks Mikey, I am going to work on it and I may get back to you with additional questions.
NancyAnn LeMoyne says
Thanks. Appreciate your time. I’ll have to look at tutorial as I need it. As a friend suggested. Totally understand. No problem
Connie says
Thank you Mikey, love you & your skills
Irene Matson says
i just love how much i have learned from you! You and Dan are totally awesome!!!!! Thank You!!!!!!
NancyAnn LeMoyne says
I wish this was something that could be mailed. My laptop and printer aren’t working together, so I can’t print anything anymore and our new apartment doesn’t have internet. They have wi fi in the library but not a printer. I still have newsletters from you that I cannot print out. Are you going to do more of those
Mikey, The Crochet Crowd says
We have a new ebook coming. I'm sorry, we are a free service online and don't have budget for printing and mailing or the people power to start that service. I'm sorry, we are doing the best we can.
Donna Christopher says
Will be watching for the e-book, it will be announced on your Facebook page correct? I just printed the 'Chains to add to end of Multiples Worksheet. I have a scarf that I made and cannot find the pattern that I printed or where I saved it at. It may have been on my old computer. I have been compiling things to make my own book, and I am willing to bet that yours has most of it in there already. Thank you for all the work you do. Oh yeah, one other thing, I had an idea for an afghan, and I wanted to use the Week one pattern, for the 2018 Summer Crochet Along, is that ok with you? I love the pattern with the yarn I am using, and the way I have it pictured in my head it will be awesome. I will post pictures as soon as I get it done, I have lots of other projects in progress.